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10 Fun Activities for Corporate Events

Have your corporate events become stale? Are you looking to add a unique touch to your company’s meeting? Do you wish you had better engagement from your team?

For starters, add more fun elements to your next corporate gathering! With some creative thinking outside the box and the help of expert planners to guide you, you can design an event that is more personalized, exciting, and engaging for your attendees.

10 Fun Corporate Event Ideas

Here are just a few ideas that our Miller Tanner Team has used to bring more fun to the corporate events that we’ve designed.

1. Pick a Theme

A theme can unleash so many creative ideas, boost attendee engagement, and bring the details of your entire event together in a way that WOWs the crowd.

2. Unique, Interactive Food and Beverage Options

Instead of gathering your team around the proverbial watercooler, gather your attendees around a food and beverage station that is sure to spark fun and engagement during the break time. Try adding a sugary donut wall or a customized drink dispenser such as Drink Ripple (pictured).

3. Choose Your Gift

Remember those choose-your-own-ending stories? Well, the latest new trend in corporate event gifting is offering a gifting suite where attendees can choose their own gift, the one that speaks to them personally (pictured).

4. Customize the Roomset

We have so many options in roomset design. You can add the unexpected twist to your traditional meeting room with cozy sofas, modern chairs, or outdoor-style loungers.

5. Get Outside

Take your meeting outdoors. Offer a rejuvenating activity like outdoor yoga or yard games. Dine al fresco under the stars (pictured). The sky’s the limit when you take your event outside of the venue conference space.

6. Friendly Competition

Who doesn’t like a little friendly competition among coworkers? Bring your team together for unique competitions like ax-throwing or a game of skeeball (pictured) aimed at bringing fun into a friendly match.

7. Get Techy

Technology is a powerful tool to boost your attendees’ engagement. Using apps, virtual reality (VR), and holograms, learning can be entertaining and memorable.

8. Include Cultural Entertainment

If your event is hosted in a country with a vibrant culture, use it as an opportunity to partake in cultural activities with your team. You’ll gain a new understanding of the world together while adding fun entertainment to your event.

9. Invite an Inspirational Speaker

Bring in a comedian or motivational speaker to teach a new perspective, motivate with an inspirational talk, or to simply bring some uproarious laughter to your event.

10. Add CSR

Corporate Social Responsibility activities can bring your team together for a great cause while fostering team bonding. Whether your teams are competing to build a bike for youth or assembling gift baskets, they will certainly have fun doing something meaningful together for others.

Our team can design a perfectly unique corporate event for your company. Contact us to get started!

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Corporate Events: Q & A

Corporate event

Corporate Events: Q & A

Global Experience Manager Jenny Decker, CMP, shares with us the latest trends and insights for planning a memorable corporate event experience.

Which details would you consider the top priority when planning a corporate event?  

First and foremost, we always like to find out the client’s goal for the meeting.  Once we know that, we can hone in on more of what the top priorities are for the client.  We find that giving the attendees an “experience” that is unique and memorable seems to resonate the most with all clients. 

incentive trip

What is one essential that no corporate event should ever be without? 

Good food and time out of a hotel ballroom to truly connect are essential.  Training and lectures are needed but, especially for corporate events, your attendees are much more productive when they can sit in small groups around a fire pit or in a local pub and share ideas.

In your opinion, what’s one benefit of hiring an event planner?

When you are hosting an internal event, your focus should be on connecting with your colleagues, engaging with your team and getting the full experience of the event.  There are so many details, decisions, and frankly, too many “fires to put out” when you are on site; It would be difficult to master both – juggling the details and enjoying the full experience.  Having experienced event planners plan your meeting allows you to disconnect from the logistics and focus on your team. Our planning team can see “fires” before they start; we know how to pivot when it goes off track. We have plans and processes to make the entire event run smoothly.

How far in advance do you recommend planning a corporate event for companies considering an incentive trip for their team?

For incentive trips, we recommend a year plus. Depending upon the time of year, you usually have a lot of leisure travelers at these locations which are typically more upscale destinations. The options for availability at hotel properties sell out much more quickly so it’s important to start planning well in advance. 

What are some corporate event destinations that we’ve planned recently and why were those locations chosen?

Charleston, Scottsdale, Philadelphia, Cayman Island, Mexico, Key Largo, Las Vegas, Santa Monica, New York, Orlando, and Turks & Caicos have been the most recent destinations.

Each client has their own reasons for choosing a location but most of the time it comes down to convenience and ease of travel to and from the city.  Also, depending upon the goal of the meeting, sometimes the time of year and weather preferences are high on the list of musts. 

The location of the actual property is one of the most attractive things about these events.  If attendees are immersed in the culture of the city and able to walk and explore on their time off, it makes the experience of the event that much more enjoyable.

incentive travel
What is the most exciting part of planning and executing a corporate event from your perspective as a planner?

Finding new ways to engage the attendees and bringing in new vendors that offer something completely unique is an exciting aspect of planning.

Based on the feedback from event attendees, what element of the corporate event seems to be the most impactful?

Attendees seem to prefer events where they can “choose their own adventure”, have a surprise gift that they can personalize themselves, or choose which gift they want from a variety of high-end options.

What’s one activity that was the most fun to plan and see executed?

Any of our incentive trip events would be high on the list.  We get to create fun, themed nights for a small group of people and really get to see the surprise and impact that it makes on the group.

event activity
What’s different about MTA events compared to other companies?

We aren’t just checking things off lists—we listen. We make sure that it’s the event and experience that our customers want to bring to life.  And we use our expertise in logistics and design to make sure that it is truly a remarkable event that your attendees will talk about when they get back home.

Our Global Experience Team can help you design your next incentive trip, global sales meeting, or other corporate event. For more information, contact our team today.

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3 Key Ingredients for Planning Successful Corporate Events

3 Key Ingredients for Planning Successful Corporate Events

Whether you plan, manage, attend or participate in a corporate event, we all know what it feels like to be a part of a successful outcome.

We know what feels, sounds and looks good – and we know when it doesn’t. It can be hard to put into words what exactly is most important, most valuable, or most appreciated during an event and after.

After experiencing everything under the sun in the world of corporate events, we are uniquely qualified to determine and identify the characteristics that are most beneficial during the event planning and management process.

Factors for Successful Corporate Events

If you want to make sure your next event gives attendees an incredible experience, there are a few key factors that are critical to help drive success – especially if you are working with an event planner.

At Miller Tanner, we believe that every event requires the following three ingredients to ensure success. 

1. Communication is paramount.

 Asking the right questions upfront, understanding the client’s expectations to help define success and translating those desires into operational actions are the keys to our success.

For example, once a client hires Miller Tanner, we start by holding a joint kickoff meeting to introduce key staff members on both teams, solidify meeting goals, learn about preferences, and outline the next steps of the planning process.

Each and every client and event is unique. It takes a lot of communication to fully understand a client’s wants and needs. This understanding helps us create an event that reflects their vision.

Effective communication is also required throughout the entire planning process to ensure a successful event. Change happens; being flexible with solutions and other options ensures communication channels remain open and effective.

For instance, a number of factors can impact the timeline, such as protocol challenges, and site or attendee selection delays. And there are other times when we have significantly less time than would be considered ideal to plan an event – but this can’t stop you from having a great event!

Communicating about issues that arise, like adjustments to timeline, procedural updates, etc., is the key to establishing realistic expectations and determining success!

2. Partnership is vital.

For us, these first two points tend to run together, as communication is the primary key to an honest and mutually beneficial partnership.

Approaching each project with a clear understanding of the client’s needs allows us to confidently determine the best services, staff and resources to deliver an exceptional event and ensure our client’s desired outcome is reached.

Each event has an on-site lead that acts as the point of contact for our clients throughout the event. Behind the on-site lead is the project manager and designated support team that specializes in registration processes, collateral materials, visa and air acquisition and a variety of other specialists.

Additionally, we assign account directors to act as an additional point of contact for each client, which helps increase the consistency and excellence within the client partnership.

Walking the path with our clients is a natural part of what we do. Being an engaged partner is our goal to ensure our clients have choices when it comes to their events.

3. Innovation does matter.

Every event planning company is looking to use innovation to revolutionize participant experiences. This typically pertains to advancements made in technology or logistics, but we have constantly innovated our processes to reflect a highly relational, strength-centric planning and management service.

For instance, following every event, we administer client and attendee satisfaction surveys which measure our company’s meeting planning success. This direct feedback enables us to continuously improve our processes and look for further ways to be innovative when it comes to our meeting planning activities.

Our teams also conduct post-event evaluations with the client to discuss the successes and lessons learned to apply for their next event. We use this information to further identify trends that we escalate internally for resolution or discuss specific processes for reconsideration.

Working with an event planning team that places a priority on innovation will help you host a creative, engaging and successful event.

How to Create a Successful Event

Miller Tanner welcomes the opportunity to help you plan your next corporate event, and keeping these three tenets in mind will lead to a more successful event outcome.

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Team Building Events to Boost Morale

Interactive activities and team-building exercises foster stronger connections at work. With simple exercises, you can increase trust between teams and departments, help strengthen interpersonal relationships, and boost your reputation as an employer with a good company culture. Whether you’re hosting a corporate event or you want to have team-building events scheduled frequently during the workday, having a collection of different team-building experiences and team-building outings to choose from makes it easier to implement these sessions.

Collaborative Workshops: Building Skills Together

Workshops are excellent opportunities to help your employees gain access to new skills and knowledge sets. While solo learning opportunities can provide a lot of value, collaborative workshops are even better. They give your employees the following benefits:

  • Learning sessions during the workday, which create a better work-life balance
  • Time to talk with coworkers, especially coworkers they may not regularly interact with, which forms better networks and creates stronger connections
  • Opportunities to ask questions, clarify information, and come to a common understanding that prevents potential miscommunication later

All of these benefits create downstream wins for both employees and the company as a whole.

Icebreaker Activities: Breaking Down Barriers

Many work environments suffer from silos. Some silos are caused by work in virtual environments, where parties simply don’t interact beyond emails. Other silos are traditional barriers between departments that have adversarial relationships. Other barriers that may be in your workforce include feelings of isolation for new hires. Icebreaker activities can go a long way in breaking down these barriers.

First, team-building experiences that break the ice foster interaction outside strict work-related topics. People can learn about each other’s hobbies, interests, and personalities. Shared experiences and preferences can foster work friendships and make people in different departments more approachable. As a result, employees may feel more comfortable giving feedback, asking questions, and approaching different stakeholders. When employees feel more connected, they stay with the company longer and can get more done than employees who feel isolated and unsupported.

Charity Events: Unified Purpose, Stronger Bonds

Team-bonding events around charitable activities are a great way to achieve many different team-building and company-wide goals. They create a sense of unified purpose that participants can feel good about, whether it’s volunteering together at a local non-profit, participating in a charitable run, or donating blood. Participants can share a sense of pride and fulfillment, and they’ll remember which coworkers they worked with.

Charity events also provide a work-adjacent context for interacting and building relationships without the frustrations and pressures of work. When team-building events are separated from deadlines, ongoing problems, and stressful projects, people can get to know each other without trying to solve a problem or get something off their plate.

Charity team-building events also provide direct benefits for the organization. You can associate your brand with local non-profits or niche projects that support your values and company mission. Organizing these charity-related team-building outings during the workday also strengthens your reputation as an employer who provides opportunities without cutting into your team’s personal time.

Contact Miller Tanner Associates to Learn More About Team-Building Events to Help Boost Morale

Team-building events make your company stronger and give your employees more fulfillment. Whether you have icebreakers at the start of monthly meetings, interactive workshops during quarterly corporate events, or a big annual charity outing, you can bring your teams together. Miller Tanner Associates is here to help. Contact us today about how our team can organize corporate team-building events for your company.

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Meet MTA: Abby Levitt, Global Experience Designer – Events

The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers. Today we introduce you to Global Experience Designer – Events Abby Levitt. Abby brings her unique expertise in project management and design solutions to her role as an event designer at MTA.

Meet Abby Levitt, Global Experience Designer – Events

Strengths (based on CliftonStrengths): Individualization, Strategic, Communication, Arranger, Woo

Tell us about your current role with MTA? What are your primary responsibilities?

In my role, I guide customers through the planning and preparation for their events. With the help of our incredible team, I keep them informed and lead them through decisions that set their events up to be successful for everyone involved. The final phase of event execution is my version of ending on a high note. The setup with the team, the on-site execution of the event, and the opportunity to meet the customers are what I look forward to the most.

What did you do before joining MTA?

Prior to joining MTA, I worked as a project manager and operational coordinator for a small residential construction firm, overseeing large-scale renovations and new home builds. In that role, I coordinated project schedules, managed budgets, and assisted with design solutions, all while working closely with clients to bring their vision to life.

What’s the best part of your job?

My favorite part of the work we do is being part of a strong team! It takes a great mix of skillsets to scope these projects from start to finish, and each step of the way is as important as the next. Collectively we share the goal of creating smooth and successful experiences for our customers and providing excellent service along the way.

What’s been your most memorable event to date and why?

My first event will always be special! It was the first in-person meeting with so many colleagues, and I gained a ton of perspective from seeing the MTA team in action on-site!

Do you have a few great travel tips that you could share?

Use packing cubes, stay hydrated (always!), eat where the locals eat, and be flexible!

What’s the one must-have for every event? A positive attitude.

What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?

Two things come to mind. First, the specialized experience of this organization. There’s so much expertise within MTA, and that presents incredible opportunities for someone newer in this particular industry to learn and grow. Coming from a small family-owned business, the established processes and systems that have been built and improved over the years really stand out as a strength.

Second, is the culture. Since day one I’ve felt empowered and supported at pretty much every turn. I’ve been given space to learn and grow, trusted with responsibility, encouraged, and challenged in great ways. It’s clear that MTA cares about its people, and operates in a way that prioritizes them. I’m glad to be a part of it.

You are originally from? You currently reside in? What do you enjoy most about livingthere? Any favorite spots that you would recommend to tourists?

I grew up in Marietta, GA (just outside of Atlanta) and went to school at The University of Georgia. I fell in love with the town and never left Athens after graduating! I enjoy the smaller-town community connections, the walkability of our neighborhood, and the distinct seasons of living in a college town. There are some excellent restaurants in town (unbiased plug for my brother’s restaurants, Seabear and Pretty Boy) and fantastic watering holes (Creature Comforts and The Hidden Gem). Our music scene is robust and a show at The Georgia Theater is an absolute must!

What do you do for fun?

I love a project in my personal life, too! Some might say that I like to stay busy (or can’t stay still). I love DIY projects, finding ways to improve spaces around the house, and finding new outlets to use my creativity. My husband and I are avid gardeners, and we love to spend time in the kitchen. On the weekends, you can find me in the woods with my dog, playing soccer, and enjoying time with friends and family!

To learn more about the MTA Team, visit www.millertanner.com. 

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Meet MTA: Allie Heredia, Global Experience Designer – Events

The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers. Today we introduce you to Global Experience Designer – Events Allie Heredia. As a member of our Global Experiences Team, Allie’s role provides oversight for all aspects of planning and executing events to ensure a seamless experience.

Meet Allie Heredia, Global Experience Designer – Events

Strengths (based on CliftonStrengths): Positivity, Developer, Empathy, Arranger, Includer

Tell us about your current role with MTA? What are your primary responsibilities?

In my role, I serve as the primary point of contact for our customers, overseeing all aspects of event planning and execution. My main responsibilities involve coordinating with customers, internal teams, and vendors to ensure seamless event delivery. I handle logistics, such as transportation, accommodations, and food & beverage, while ensuring the event aligns with the customer’s goals and expectations.

What did you do before joining MTA?

For the last 13 years, I have managed events in the engineering and forestry industries.

What’s the best part of your job?

What I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to see events come to life after all the hard work and preparation. Being on-site and witnessing the success of an event, especially when it exceeds expectations, brings me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Allie Heredia pictured with members of MTA’s Global Experiences Team

What’s been your favorite event destination as an event planning professional?

My favorite event destination as an event planner would be Branson, Missouri. While it wasn’t initially on my bucket list, I had the pleasure of visiting five times for events and grew to truly appreciate the area. It’s a beautiful destination, surrounded by lush greenery and stunning lakes. The town is charming, with unique attractions, including the giant chicken, which adds a fun touch.

What’s been your most memorable event to date and why?

My most memorable event took place at the Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The town itself is quirky, and the falls are stunning. What made this event unique was that attendees were encouraged to bring their families. It was such an interesting mix of professional and personal – with a bowling alley just on the other side of the wall and kids running around howling like wolves. The energy and fun atmosphere made the event stand out, and the attendees absolutely loved it. It was a one-of-a-kind experience that blended work and play in the best way possible.

Do you have a few great travel tips that you could share?

Pack smart! While it’s not always possible to travel with just carry-ons, it can be incredibly helpful when you need to carry your luggage upstairs or switch to another plane quickly. It makes everything more manageable. Packing cubes are also a game-changer! They help you maximize space and keep everything organized. Another important tip is to research your destination beforehand. Know the climate, the local currency, and the transportation options available. It can really make your trip smoother and less stressful.

What’s the one must-have for every event?

A must-have for every event is flexibility. No matter how much you plan, things can change and probably will change whether it’s a last-minute schedule adjustment, travel issues, or unforeseen issues. Being adaptable and able to think on your feet is crucial for ensuring the event continues smoothly.

Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important? What do you get most from this time together?

The MTA Workshops are so beneficial because they provide a unique opportunity for team members to connect in person, share experiences, and learn from each other. It’s a chance to gain insights into how to work better together and understand the different perspectives within the company.

What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?

MTA stands out as a meeting planning company because of its incredible team and commitment to excellence. The company fosters a supportive, collaborative, and friendly work environment that encourages employees to do their best work. The team consistently strives to exceed client expectations. MTA’s strong culture, built on respect and genuine care for both employees and customers, is what truly sets MTA apart and is my favorite aspect of MTA.

What do you do for fun?

I have been fostering dogs since 2016 and absolutely love helping pups find their forever home. I also enjoy reading murder mystery books, hiking, and traveling with my daughter.

You are originally from? You currently reside in? What do you enjoy most about living there? Any favorite spots that you would recommend to tourists?

I am originally from Washington and have lived in Phoenix, Arizona for 12 years. There is never a lack of vitamin D, you can always find something to do, and if I ever want to see snow, it is only an hour away. I would recommend tourists go to the Desert Botanical Garden to see the diverse desert flora and to visit Camelback Mountain, one of the most popular hiking trails in Phoenix.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Since joining MTA, I’ve felt a deep sense of gratitude to work for a company that values collaboration, innovation, and excellence, and where every day presents new opportunities.

To learn more about the MTA Team, visit www.millertanner.com. 

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Meet MTA: Natalie Frohlich, Global Experience Designer – Events

The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers. Today we introduce you to Global Experience Designer – Events Natalie Frohlich. Natalie’s role serves as the project manager for events to guarantee the successful execution of each and every experience.

Meet Natalie Frohlich, Global Experience Designer – Events

Strengths (based on CliftonStrengths): Relator, Empathy, Discipline, Intellection, Learner

Languages spoken: I speak Spanish and German as my native language, as well as Catalan, English, and a little bit of French and Italian. 

Tell us about your current role with MTA? What are your primary responsibilities?  

I am a global experience designer for events. My main responsibilities are acting as the project manager and the main point of contact for our customers, coordinating between all stakeholders involved to ensure the successful execution of our events.  

What did you do before joining MTA?

I have been working in the events sector for more than 8 years. I have worked for different agencies organizing all kinds of corporate events. 

What’s the best part of your job?

What I enjoy most about my job is being on site, seeing an event take place successfully after all the effort and preparation always makes me very happy. 

What’s been your favorite event destination as an event planning professional?

I was lucky that my first event was in San Diego. It was my first time visiting California and I consider it an ideal destination for events. Of course, the good weather always attracts participants. 

What’s been your most memorable event to date and why?

I organized the launch of a new car model that lasted a whole month. It was a very intense event because of the duration and because literally everything happened, but to this day I remember it with a smile. 

Do you have a few great travel tips that you could share?

Whenever I travel I always try to spend some time as a local. For example, sitting in a town square or a park, I try to strike up a conversation with a local to find out more about the destination. The air tag is a must-have gadget because lost luggage is very frustrating when you’re anxious to reach your destination. 

What’s the one must-have for every event?

Always have a plan B and be proactive as you never know when something might change from one moment to the next. And of course, comfortable shoes – you are going to cover a lot of kilometers. 

What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?

From the very first moment, I was very surprised by the friendliness of the team. I have felt welcomed and supported at all times and, of course, I think that the team is the most important thing in a company. Being able to work in a pleasant atmosphere is key. 

Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important? What do you get most from this time together?

I consider the workshops to be very important as not all teams have the possibility to see other colleagues throughout the year. I was very privileged and I was very grateful to be able to attend the Workshop in Dublin directly after joining MTA and I got to know everyone beforehand. 

What do you do for fun?

I love reading – I devour every book I get my hands on. I have a reading room at my place and it is my favourite corner of the house.

Tell us a little about your background. What do you enjoy most about where you currently live? Any favorite spots that you would recommend to tourists?

I was born and raised in Barcelona, but my father is German and my mother is Colombian, a curious family mix. For me, Barcelona is the best city in the world and I have always lived there. I consider that it is a city that has everything – beach, mountains, architecture, and leisure. Whenever I can, I escape to the Costa Brava, specifically to the village Calella de Palafrugell; it’s beautiful! 

To learn more about the MTA Team, visit www.millertanner.com. 

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Meet MTA: Hanii Kwok, Global Experience Designer – Events

The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers. Today we introduce you to our associate based in Hong Kong, Global Experience Designer – Events Hanii Kwok. As a global experience designer, Hanii works closely with the Global Experiences Team to carefully plan and deliver exceptional APAC events from start to finish.

Meet Hanii Kwok, Global Experience Designer – Events

Strengths (based on CliftonStrengths): Individualization, Analytical, Learner, Arranger, Ideation

Languages spoken: English, Mandarin and Cantonese

Tell us about your current role with MTA? What are your primary responsibilities? 

I’m a global experience designer focusing on the delivery of Asia-Pacific events.

What did you do before joining MTA?  

I was a conference program producer for biopharma events and event logistics manager for a publishing company. 

What’s the best part of your job? 

I love seeing an event come together and getting a real buzz from working with everyone together as a team to make it happen. 

What’s been your favorite event destination as an event planning professional? 

Singapore – the hotel banqueting staff are always super helpful and efficient. 

I love how all the processes have been designed to focus on enhancing customer experience, making it super easy to say to the customer, “Sure, can do!”

What’s been your most memorable event to date and why? 

My most memorable event to date was in Hamburg, Germany. I visited the local Christmas market after the event; not many tourists visit that part of the city. It was truly a magical and fairytale experience! 

Do you have a few great travel tips that you could share? 

I never go abroad without my own peppermint teabags, melatonin, Epsom salt, and hydration face masque. 

What’s the one must-have for every event? 

I always try my best to add something fun and memorable for the attendees at every event, wherever possible. Simple things like playing upbeat music during welcome dinner, taking a big group photo, or going somewhere fun for the off-site dinner. 

What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?

I love how all the processes have been designed to focus on enhancing customer experience, making it super easy to say to the customer, “Sure, can do!”  

Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important? What do you get most from this time together? 

I think it’s super important to spend some time getting to know the people I work with every day, especially colleagues who do not usually travel to events. It’s a lot easier to ask for favours when you know them personally.

What do you do for fun? 

I love going to watch stand-up comedy – just never ever sit in the front row!!! 

Tell us a little about your background.

I am Chinese with Taiwanese and Hong Kong heritage, grew up in Marylebone, London (before it was hip), and moved to Hong Kong after I got married.

Any favorite spots that you would recommend to tourists? 

Definitely go visit Marylebone High Street in London; then go feed the ducks in The Regent’s Park and take a selfie outside 221B Bakers Street.  

To learn more about the MTA Team, visit www.millertanner.com. 

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Meet MTA: Sydney Shields, Global Experience Specialist – Events

The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers. Today we introduce you to Global Experience Specialist – Events Sydney Shields. Sydney’s role supports logistical and on-site event management to deliver tailored experiences for attendees.

Meet Sydney Shields Global Experience Specialist – Events

Strengths (based on CliftonStrengths): Strategic, Achiever, Individualization, Activator, Ideation

Languages spoken: French intermediately; I studied it and can hold a basic conversation – but being in France this spring (as well as my role) has inspired me to commit to learning it. That being said, if you have any French shows or music/musicians to recommend please share my way! 

Tell us about your current role with MTA? What are your primary responsibilities?  

I am a global experiences specialist – events, and my responsibilities are to ensure the experience for the attendees, our customers, and my colleagues goes according to expectation. I do this on the back end with data and logistical management – and on the front end on-site at our events supporting the delivery of a memorable experience for all parties involved. 

What did you do before joining MTA?  

I came from a background in film and media studies, and post-graduation got into recruitment within the STEM sector; there I realized my love for talking to people and learning about them, and got the chance to work with some great teams. I knew I wanted to be in a team-oriented environment that prioritized people and their experiences.  

What’s the best part of your job? 

This is a tough question with a simple answer – the people, whether that be my colleagues, our attendees, or our customers. I love the way MTA recognizes individualization and sees all people and experiences this way. No two events are ever the same. Every project is an opportunity to learn something new, so there is a constant evolution in growth and understanding. 

What’s been your favorite event destination as an event planning professional? 

Since it was my biggest event to date, London – where my team spent 2 weeks in Kensington supporting a major clinical series. On-site, we learned to collaborate and bring forward different strengths and styles of executing the details. Off-site, we enjoyed some great restaurants and got to hit all of our points of interest around the city. The highlights had to be a colleague’s birthday we did high tea, taking the tube, and when a Michelin guide restaurant let us take over the aux.  

No two events are ever the same. Every project is an opportunity to learn something new, so there is a constant evolution in growth and understanding. 

What’s been your most memorable event to date and why? 

London because it was one of the longest and most complex events to date in our time as an organization and it was awesome to see done – meeting the vision of both the customer and our team. 

Do you have a few great travel tips that you could share? 

Don’t be afraid of not having an itinerary. I am a big fan of Anthony Bourdain, and he led me to this way of thinking. I have found my most memorable experiences were the unexpected ones I couldn’t have planned any better. Be adventurous, try new things, and get an e-sim card if you can because not having data and being lost on an island (personal experience) isn’t too fun. Having data is. 

What’s the one must-have for every event? 

A good cafe nearby for the morning coffee runs. 

What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?

The people! What makes them stand out to me is the way they carry everything out from end-to-end. It is all done in-house, which makes the process of execution very efficient.  

mta global experience team
Sydney pictured with Global Experiences Team members at the 2024 Workshop

Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important? What do you get most from this time together? 

Being remote, except when we get to be on-site for events, can be hard to connect with colleagues. Especially since most of us are global – it can be amazing to have friends all over the world but also tough to connect outside of work with all working in various time zones. The Workshop ensures that as a remote organization, everyone from every department gets to feel that sense of connectedness. It’s a great way to get to know each other better, have fun, and be filled in on what’s next as an organization. I don’t know of any other remote companies offering this, so I feel grateful to be a part of a place that puts that thought forward.  

What do you do for fun? 

Traveling! I also like to listen to music, read, write, and sing. I love trying new restaurants with friends and day trips, thrifting – I also just ordered my first DJ controller and am going to try that out for fun…but I said it’s for fun…not that I will be good. 

You are originally from? You currently reside in? What do you enjoy most about living there? Any favorite spots that you would recommend to tourists? 

I’m from Sacramento, CA, and reside there currently. I enjoy how Sacramento has grown these past few years, and that it is 2 hours from the beach, the mountains, and San Francisco. I’d recommend the summer concerts in the park, our food scene, great parks, and bike trails. 

To learn more about the MTA Team, visit www.millertanner.com. 

Blog

Meet MTA: Sarae Gdovin, Senior Global Experience Designer – Events

The Miller Tanner Associates’ (MTA) difference is our people. That’s why we want to introduce you to our team of superstars that brings our corporate meetings and events to life for our customers. Today we introduce you to Senior Global Experience Designer – Events Sarae Gdovin. Sarae leverages her extensive expertise in pharmaceutical industry event management to deliver successful events for both our internal team and our customers.

Meet Sarae Gdovin, Senior Global Experience Designer – Events

Strengths (based on CliftonStrengths): Arranger, Learner, Strategic, Achiever,
Individualization

Tell us about your current role with MTA? What are your primary responsibilities?

I am currently a senior global experience designer here at MTA. My responsibility is to work closely with our customers to bring their event objectives and visions to life. I manage the logistics, behind the scenes, so our clients can focus on the content and deliver an exceptional event experience for all attendees.  

What did you do before joining MTA?

I previously worked as an event director producing pharmaceutical events and managing a team of fellow event managers and coordinators.  

What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is the tangible aspect of seeing an event come together onsite in person – it is so fulfilling to see the hard work put into a project come alive into an experience.  

What’s been your favorite event destination as an event planning professional?

Sydney, Australia – Australia had always been on my bucket list, and I was lucky enough to go for the first time for an event. I enjoyed it so much that I now go back any chance I can get! 

MTA is full of brilliant people who work together to create exceptional events and truly embrace and practice the MTA values.

Do you have a few great travel tips that you could share?

‘Do the thing you’re supposed to do in the place you’re supposed to do it’ – I firmly believe in getting off the beaten path when traveling, but sometimes the most visited place is popular for a reason! You shouldn’t miss the Eiffel Tower light up at night just because it’s a tourist spot.  

Also, AirTags! I have one in all of my suitcases, and they have been so helpful on the unfortunate occasions when my luggage has been lost.  

What’s the one must-have for every event?

Comfortable shoes and a backup plan for any last-minute changes! 

What do you do for fun?

Although I travel a lot for work, traveling is still my favorite thing to do! I love a solo adventure just as much as a trip with family or friends. My husband also shares my love for adventure, and we try to plan one big trip a year – our most recent being gorilla trekking in Uganda! 

You are originally from? You currently reside in? What do you enjoy most about living there? Any favorite spots that you would recommend to tourists?

I am from and currently reside in northeast Pennsylvania – close to Scranton for fans of The Office! My favorite thing about living here is how well-connected it is to the Northeast and beyond. I’m only a 2-hour drive from Philadelphia or New York City, and just a few hours more to Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Boston. Although our airport may be small, it’s usually only one connection away from any major city in the US, Europe, or LATAM! 

Sarae, pictured with team members, who recently received the MTA 2023 Story of the Year Award.

What makes Miller Tanner Associates stand out as a meeting planning company?

Our people! MTA is full of brilliant people who work together to create exceptional events and truly embrace and practice the MTA values. We push each other forward to not only get the job done but innovate how it could be done better.  

Why do you think that the MTA Workshops are important? What do you get most from this time together?

Getting the chance to experience my first MTA Workshop just a few months after joining the company was so impactful – it allowed me to strengthen new relationships and feel at home as a part of the team. The time we spend at the Workshop really shows that MTA is willing to put the same investment into in-person meetings as our customers, plus it gives a glimpse into what the Global Experience Team does for those who are not as often on site at events! 

To learn more about the MTA Team, visit www.millertanner.com. 

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